Concert - In Memory of Organist David MacDonald

Changing Tides pays tribute to the late organist and choir director, David MacDonald, in this musical tribute by his friend Shimon Walt (cello), his sister, Lorna MacDonald (soprano) and Peter-Anthony Togni (organ) who has composed a new piece, Elegy for David, that will premiere at RCCO 2019.  Originally from Cape Breton, David MacDonald attended Dalhousie University and McGill, where he obtained his Master of Music degree in organ performance.  He later studied in Paris with Marie-Claire Alain and Daniel Roth, returning to Nova Scotia where he was Director of Music at both Rockingham United and First Baptist Church.  He commissioned and premiered new works for organ, and performed the complete organ works of J.S. Bach, winning the 1999 East Coast Music Award for his recording, David MacDonald Plays the Casavant Organ. Two scholarships bear his name - the RCCO (Halifax) David MacDonald Organ Scholarship and the David MacDonald Bach Scholarship at the Maritime Conservatory of the Performing Arts. The Marvin Duchow Music Library at McGill University is the home of his Organ Music Collection. Diverse Canadian organs are recorded for posterity through the release of eight acclaimed CBC-issued recordings. David MacDonald was just age 51 at the time of his death. Joining in the performance will be Jennifer Jones (violin).